On this day in history: May 29, 1999 - Hikers discover the skeletal remains of Philip "Taylor" in his Ford Aerostar at the bottom of a 200-foot ravine in Malibu, California. The onetime bassist for the band Iron Butterfly had disappeared four years prior.

Born on this day in history: May 29, 1917 - John F. Kennedy (1917 - 1963) Born in Brookline, MA, 35th President John F. Kennedy (1961–3) was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives (1947–53) and the U.S. Senate (1953–61) before becoming the youngest man, and first Catholic, to be elected U.S. president. His short term in office, dubbed the "New Frontier," inspired a generation to seek to better their world through government service. Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald, as determined by the Warren Commission.

Scripture of the Day: Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. — Galatians 5:25

Video of the Day: Challenger New vs. Old: Vanishing Point Revisited - submitted by Darin

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this sign while driving to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

Hot Weather and Bizarre Forecasts

It has been hot of late99° - 103° for the last several days. Nonetheless, the weather forecasts for yesterday and today have indicated the possibility of thundershowers! Thundershowers did not occur yesterday, and it certainly does not appear that they are looming today. Nonetheless, the forecasts continue. It seems particularly odd to contemplate the possibility of an impending thundershower while scurrying for shade to avoid the blistering rays of the sun. We shall see.

New Barbecue

It is time! It is well past time, actually. Our old Char-Broil barbecue has well outlasted my wildest estimates for its useful life! It is nearly eight years old and had been used a great deal. I replaced the handle during the second year of its service. I replaced burner about four years ago. The burner is now well past need of replacement again. The legs are wobbly. The entire structure is crumbling. It is time!

While researching new barbecues, I happened upon this one. This looks ideal! Click to enlarge.

The U9950 Tuscany Barbecue Ultimate Island seems to have almost everything I would want in a personal oasis. It features large stainless-steel grill, a 47" auto-rising LCD HDTV, Blu-Ray DVD player, two waterfalls, a fireplace, deluxe audio system, refrigerator, beer tap, 25-jet spa, and dual cabanas.

The price of $22,950.00 plus shipping and setup seems a bit expensive. I may well not be able to convince Laura that this is the ideal barbecue for us.

On this day in history: May 28, 1987 - German teenager Matthias Rust lands his Cessna in Moscow's Red Square, buzzing the Kremlin on the way in. He serves 18 months in prison for this prank, which also costs the commander of the Soviet Air Command his job.

Born on this day in history: May 28, 1944 - Rudolph Giuliani (1944 - ) Born in New York City, former Mayor of New York Rudolph Giuliani (1993–2001) was U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York (1983–9), before being elected New York mayor. Giuliani is best known for his leadership in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on New York on September 11, 2001. He was awarded an honorary knighthood by the UK in 2002.

Scripture of the Day: Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. — Proverbs 31:8

Video of the Day: Zombieville USA iPhone App Review

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this laughing kitty! He was frolicking behind my office as I parked Mr. Nitro there this morning. I gave him and his companion a saucer of non-fat milk. Click to enlarge.

Zombieville USA

If you have an iPhone or iPod Touch and have not played Zombieville USA, you are missing one of the greatest diversions available to you! Game play is fast and furious, and no one complains when you kill a zombie! The lite (free) version has only one level, but it is very enjoyable and highly addictive. Laura played the free version until she easily made it through the first level. She then longed for the full game, and I could not deny her. At $1.99, the full version is a real bargain. Take a look at today's video to see some of the action you will encounter in this game, orbetter yetdownload the free version. I promise you if you play the free version you will quickly find yourself traipsing over to the App Store for the full version!

On this day in history: May 27, 1993 - Five are killed and 37 wounded when a Fiat Fiorino explodes outside the Uffizi museum in Florence, Italy. The car bomb (a combination of PETN, T4, and TNT) also manages to obliterate three priceless artworks and substantially damage thirty more. The bombing appears to have been the work of the Sicilian Mafia.

Born on this day in history: May 27, 1923 - Henry (Alfred) Kissinger (1923 - ) Born in Fuerth, Germany, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (1971–6) gained national attention with his first book, 'Nuclear Weapons and Foreign Policy' (1957). He was an adviser to Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson, and served as Secretary of State in the Nixon and Ford administrations.

Scripture of the Day: Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. — Isaiah 40:28-29

On this day in history: May 26, 1960 - America's UN Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge charges the Soviets with having bugged the Moscow embassy. He shows off a large wooden carving of the United States seal which had been hollowed out to conceal a sophisticated resonant cavity transmitter. Less than 30 years later a newly-rebuilt Moscow embassy is determined to be "structurally riddled with eavesdropping devices."

Born on this day in history: May 26, 1907 - John Wayne (1907 - 1979) Film actor, born in Winterset, Iowa, USA. After a succession of small parts in low-budget films and serials, he achieved stardom as the Ringo Kid in "Stagecoach" (1939).

Scripture of the Day: "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." — Jeremiah 33:3

Video of the Day: Crazy Cat Attacking Spuds Dog - submitted by Cindy

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene as I passed the lake while driving to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

Memorial Day Weekend has ended. It is time to return to the workday routine and cast off the tendrils of leisure that bound me during that period. This is a difficult task. I so enjoyed three days of doing virtually nothing that I find myself missing doing so greatly! Oh, well, back to the grind go I!

What otherwise might have been a relatively serene drive to my office this morning (a five-block drive when the most direct route is taken) became relatively nightmarish when I remembered that I needed to fuel Mr. Nitro. Initially, I was very pleased when I saw a spot was available at the pumps at Valero (a block from our house). The serenity became a frighteningly gruesome event when I saw the price of fuel: $2.67 per gallon for 87 octane (the vintage Mr. Nitro prefers). Yikes! Mr. Nitro was most thirsty, and it took 17.281 gallons of fuel (at a cost of $48.02) to slake Mr. Nitro's thirst!

Other than shopping and grilling, we did little over the long weekend. Images from our grilling adventures can be viewed on my iPhone photo blog. There is a link in the Links section of this blog that will take you there.

On this day in history: May 22, 1957 - A B-36 bomber accidentally drops a 10 megaton hydrogen bomb over an uninhabited area near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The conventional charges detonate on impact, leaving a radioactive crater 12 feet deep and 25 feet wide.

Born on this day in history: May 22, 1970 - Naomi Campbell (1970-) Born in London, model and actress Naomi Campbell is one of the most renowned supermodels. She was the first black woman to appear on the covers of French and British Vogue. Campbell has also appeared in several music videos and films. She has been linked with high-profile love interests Mike Tyson, Robert De Niro and Usher.

Scripture of the Day: For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. — Ephesians 2:10

Video of the Day: ProCamera for iPhone - submitted by Chris (NOTE:This is absolutely a must-have app!)

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene on the way to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

Thoughts

. All those who believe in telekinesis, raise my hand.. I almost had a psychic girlfriend but she left me before we met.. OK, so what's the speed of dark?. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.. Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film.. Shin: a device for finding furniture in the dark.. Many people quit looking for work when they find a job.. I intend to live forever - so far, so good.. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.. 24 hours in a day ... 24 beers in a case..... coincidence?. When I'm not in my right mind, my left mind gets pretty crowded.. What happens if you get scared half to death twice?. I used to have an open mind but my brains kept falling out.. I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.. If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.. For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.. No one is listening until you make a mistake.. Success always occurs in private, and failure in full view.. The colder the X-ray table, the more of your body is required to beon it.. The hardness of the butter is proportional to the softness of thebread.. The severity of the itch is proportional to the reach.. To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism -- to steal from manyis research.. The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard.. Monday is an awful way to spend 1/7th of your life.. The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.. If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've nevertried before.. A fool and his money are soon partying.. Plan to be spontaneous tomorrow.. If you think nobody cares about you, try missing a couple ofpayments.. Drugs may lead to nowhere, but at least it's the scenic route.. I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize.. Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks.. Borrow money from pessimists-they don't expect it back.. Half the people you know are below average.. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.

On this day in history: May 21, 1979 - A judge gives Dan White only seven years for the premeditated murders of Harvey Milk and Mayor Moscone, prompting thousands to march on San Francisco's City Hall. In what will come to be known as the White Night Riots, the demonstration takes a violent turn, resulting in significant property damage and the torching of twelve SFPD cruisers. Police respond with brutal beatdowns at gay bars in the Castro district.

Born on this day in history: May 21, 1917 - Raymond Burr (1917-1993) Television actor, born in Westminster, Canada. Coming from Canada to study at Stanford University, he began as a stage actor, appearing in regional theatre before moving into television dramas and films. He starred as the burly detective in the "Perry Mason" (1957-66) and "Ironside" (1967-75) series, winning two Emmys. He went on to appear in several TV mini-series and in extended versions of "Perry Mason."

Scripture of the Day: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7

Video of the Day: Cat vs. Dramatic Prairie Dog - submitted by Amber

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while picking up a client's computer on the way to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

The Persistent Telemarketer

When I arrived at my office this morning, the telephone was ringing. I thought to myself that it must be a client in dire need of technical support for someone to be calling at 6:45 AM. I sat at my desk and answered the telephone. Following my, "California Technologies," he offered no introduction but began immediately a quick recitation of a long-distance telephone service. I attempted three times to interject the affirmation that I had no interest whatever in his proposal, but he continued to prattle. I returned the telephone receiver to its cradle.

A minute or two later, the telephone rang again. The Caller ID showed "Unknown Name," as it had done with the previous call, so I assumed that it was the telemarketer again. I answered with, "Can you hold please," and I placed the telephone receiver on my desk. I went about my usual morning activities: I turned on the lights, turned the front door sign to "Open," and turned on all the computer LCD screens. I picked up the telephone receiver, and I said, "Thank you for holding. Your call is important. Please continue to hold." I opened Outlook 2007, put some ice in a glass, and poured a Pepsi Max. I picked up the telephone receiver and said, "I'm sorry. All agents are busy. Please continue to hold. Your expected wait time is four hours and twenty minutes. Thank you."

After a few minutes, I checked the telephone and determined the telemarketer had disconnected. I returned the telephone receiver to its cradle. Within only a few seconds, the telephone rang again, and I saw the dreaded "Unknown Name" appear on the Caller ID device. I picked up the telephone receiver and held it to my ear but said nothing. The telemarketer said, "Hello...anybody there?" I replied, "You have called an active crime scene. What is the nature of your call?" There was no reply. An hour has passed, and the telemarketer has not called again.

On this day in history: May 20, 1960 - Music DJ Alan Freed, originator of the term "Rock and Roll," is indicted in New York in the Payola scandal. Freed had accepted $30,650 from five record companies to play their records, although to be fair "pay for play" was the accepted practice up to that point.

Born on this day in history: May 20, 1946 - Cher (1946 - ) Born Cherilyn La Piere Sarkisian in El Centro, CA, singer and actress Cher originally paired in a singing act with then-husband Salvatore "Sonny" Bono (1935-98), and was known for rock anthem "I Got You Babe" (1965). Cher found greater success on her own, as a singer and a stage and film actress, winning an Academy Award for "Moonstruck" (1987).

Scripture of the Day: For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. - Philippians 1:21

Video of the Day: Fast New Shelby Mustang GT-500 Full Test - submitted by Darin

Laura's Journey Ends

NOTE: I have added several new photographs from Laura's journey to the blog entries for the previous three days! Be certain to re-visit those entries!

Laura getting ready to board the airplane in LA to return to Sacramento

On this day in history: May 19, 1536 - In the first public execution of an English queen, Anne Boleyn is beheaded. In her speech, Boleyn has nothing but good things to say about her husband, Henry VIII: "I pray God save the king and send him long to reign over you, for a gentler nor a more merciful prince was there never: and to me he was ever a good, a gentle and sovereign lord."

Born on this day in history: May 19, 1925 - Malcolm X (1925 - 1965) Born Malcolm Little in Omaha, NE, activist Malcolm X spent 10 years in prison for burglary (1946), where he discovered the anti-white Black Muslims. He came to national attention via writings and a TV documentary (1959) that portrayed him as a threat to white people. Breaking with the Muslims (1964), he worked to internationalize the Afro-American struggle, forming the Organization of African American Unity. Assassinated in New York City, Malcolm X remains a powerful influence and transformed a generation of African-Americans.

Scripture of the Day: Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. — 1 Peter 5:6-7

On this day in history: May 18, 1980 - After a 5.1 magnitude earthquake in Washington state, 57 people are killed in an avalanche of volcanic mud in the eruption of Mount St. Helens. The volcano spews out 200 million cubic yards of of pumice, ash, and debris which covers 24 square miles of the valley below.

Born on this day in history: May 18, 1920 - John Paul II (1920–2005) Born in Wadowice, Poland, Pope John Paul II was the first non-Italian pope in 450 years and hugely popular. Noted for his energy, analytical ability and wide-ranging travel, John Paul preached to huge audiences, surviving an assassination attempt in 1981. His papacy was the third longest in Church history and, when he died, over two million people queued to pay last respects.

Scripture of the Day: I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. — Philippians 1:19

Video of the Day: Big Ontario Street Racing Bust - submitted by Darin

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while passing the lake this morning on the way to my office! Click to enlarge.

On this day in history: May 15, 1997 - Federal prosecutors in the Unabomber trial file the necessary paperwork requesting the death penalty for Ted Kaczynski.

Born on this day in history: May 15, 1923 - Richard Avedon (1923 - 2004) Born in New York City, photographer Richard Avedon began shooting fashion for "Harper's Bazaar" (1945-65), and became known for stark portraits of people in unusual poses. He published his first book of celebrity portraits, "Observations," in 1959. In 1963, Avedon photographed aspects of the Civil Rights and Anti-War movements, then became famous working for "Vogue."

Scripture of the Day: So after they [the church at Antioch] had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them [Barnabas and Saul] and sent them off. — Acts 13:3

UPDATE 12:40 PM: I set up the new Microsoft Life Web Cam 6000. I am waiting for extension cables in order to place it in the front window of my office. Until then, you will see random images sent from when the mood strikes me.

Laura's Journey: Laura is on her way to Sacramento, where she will attend a business seminar. This afternoon, she will board an airplane and fly to Tucson, AZ, where she will spend five days visiting with her daughter, Rachel, son-in-law, David, granddaughter, Parker, and other relatives and friends.

She shall send photographs from her iPhone, documenting the journey. I shall include them here when I receive them, so be certain to check back routinely to follow Laura's journey!

Laura is packing for her trip. The kitties apparently do not wish her to depart!

Laura is at the seminar, musing over the resources.

The first break, after the intro session.

Session 1: Organize your life.

It is time for Laura to have lunch!

Laura is at the Sacramento airport! Do not share your beverage with the pilot!